Low Water Pressure - Well Pump Problems? Check This First
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- Опубликовано: 2 фев 2018
- Solve bad water pressure problems with your residential well by checking the pressure on your tank. #1 most overlooked DIY thing to check.
The first thing to check is your holding pressure tank and this is how you do it.
Parts Below:
Pressure Switch amzn.to/2LPxzVA
Lead Free Check Valve: amzn.to/2LBkrUH
Pressure Switch: amzn.to/2uYEBO0
Lead Free Shut Off Valve: amzn.to/2LyULbp
This video is designed to show you how to check your well pressure ore holding tank. Not every system is the same and this is not a total how to and is designed to provide some information as a general overview. You must know your own limits and determine if this is something you can do.
If in doubt contact a licensed plumber or well engineer.
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Silver Cymbal assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Silver Cymbal recommends safe practices when working on machines and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Silver Cymbal, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Silver Cymbal. 
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Thank you, I'm in my 60's and hung drywall for over 30 years after serving in the army in the 70's so I am not really good in your field. That said my bride and I are deep in the mountains of NC/TN and I did just what you showed..... Praise the LORD I was ready to call the Well folks, you sir saved my bacon and my better half thinks I'm MacGyver so again thank you and you are officially on my subscriptions. Blessings
its fine if you just thank the guy that made the video.
Finally, an informative youtube video that doesn't give you a run-around just gets to the point. 👌
I really appreciate that, thank you
I agree completely
I just installed a pressure tank with the switch and pressure gauge. The pressure tank came filled with air pressure of 60 PSI and I reduced it to 28 psi as I wanna run my pump between 30psi and 50psi. But when I turn the valve on the gauge stops at 20 psi and the pressure tank won’t fill with water. The pump is a submersible one used in a well at 28 m of depth and has 1.5 hp. I wonder if this pump is powerful enough to fill the pressure tank.
I have to say, this is one of the most straight forward DIY videos I have ever seen. Thank you so much!
Thank you very much I really appreciate that.
I’m a municipal plumber, had zero training in well system. Thank you, well explained.
Thanks for making a nice, straight to the point, informative video. I will be checking mine next week.
Clearly stated. Very informative and helpful. Had some issues with my tank today and it’s given me another item to check before having the well company out. Thank you for the clear and informative video-this is wonderful!
So glad it was helpful, thank you
Couldnt go with out leaving a big thank you here. Our water was sputtering thought the house. Followed your instructions to a T, come to find out I was holding 20psi at my tank. Filled it to 35, all is well. Great video, you just saved me hundreds in having to call someone out, and I learned a lot about my system at the same time. Cheers!
It’s been many many years since I’ve had to mess with a well system. This video was very helpful in helping refresh my memory of trouble shooting these systems. Thank you! You did a very good job with your video!
As it happens our went out yesterday and has low pressure today!
Thank you for making this video. Very helpful. Helped me diagnose my tank as having a leaking diaphragm. Water came out of the valve stem when I checked the pressure.
Fantastic video!!! Our well froze over during last week's winter storm and the pressure is super high right now. Thank you.
Clear, concise, factual and well thought out presentation. Well done good Sir!
So, I have done this several times over my 66 years; but I always read [in the old days] up [now, I simply watched both of your EXCELLENT videos]. I have a two-story home, on a well, 60' away from the pressure tank and well head. My pressure was dropping to ZERO for 30-45secs before the switch kicked on. So, I [checked the pressure tank pressure [as instructed], it was at 35psi. I decided to replace the 50-70switch with a 60-80 Merrill heavy duty. I set my pressure tank to 58psi. I installed the 60-80 switch. It would not cut off. My safety valve opens at 90psi [nice to remember -I installed it 10 years ago]. I reduced the cut in/cut out side by 3 full turns, NADA! I loosened the cut off switch completely, NADA. It would not cut off. Plus my pressure gauge was no longer working [thankfully, I had another]. I was STUMPED! STUMPED ! STUMPED! But, I pulled the pressure gauge, and inserted a stiff 8 gauge wire into the pressure gauge/pressure valve coupling. COMPLETELY BLOCKED by lime/scale due to our very, very hard water. I reamed it out, blew it out, twice. Reinstalled all...WORKS PERFECTLY!! 58psi cut in, 70psi cut off. Which FINALLY gives us decent pressure upstairs in the shower. Thanks for your videos, they coached me along PERFECTLY!! Ps... Next plumbing supplies I need, I will try to buy from you.
Thank you, you illustrated this procedure so clearly. I hadn't done this for 30 years, I'm a little worried, but my pressure in the shower seems to fluctuate, so i need to do it !
A better explanation than two others I watched. My tank is 12 yrs old. It is a WellMate WM-9. I haven't checked it yet and now I know how. I haven't watched your longer vid but will do that now.
Because of your generosity of information I fixed my problem! My pressure tank was a 23PSI. I pumped it up to 28PSI after checking the tank to see if it was full, which it wasn't. Then I checked the pressure regulator. Made sure it had power then made the contacts connected and everything worked. So in the end it was the pressure switch not kicking back on after a power outage.
Thanks for putting out the clear useful information. With no long introductions. With no music. With no rambling philosophical or political commentary.
Just a note to tell you I followed your youtube video and all came out great. My valve pressure was 21 to start and needed to be 28. It was a great video so easy follow, now my pressure is correct.
When you have a problem and don't know what to do, it's so good to find your kind of video instruction. It was in plain easy and to the point, so helpful, Thank you very much.
Glad it helped, I love to hear that this helped someone. Thank you for watching
Thank you Silver: the video is very informative; good and clear commentary and good tips. I appreciate it. Keep up the good work. Thanks.
Since moving into our new home from a city system to a well system I always felt that the water pressure was just a tad low. Figured there was nothing to be done about it until this video auto played after one of your Great lawn videos. Watched the video and made the adjustments and wouldnt you know we have great water pressure now!!! Only thing ill add is I tried a bike pump first and it made little to no dent in the pressure of the tank so i whipped out the air compressor and that did the trick.
Thanks for this video...I checked our tank pressure for the first time and it was at 19 psi and should be at 28 (30/50 switch). I added air pressure to get it to 28. I'll check it again in a week or so to see if it is maintaining the pressure. If not, then probably a bad air bladder and will need to get a new tank...fingers crossed that's not necessary.
Great video. I just purchased an acreage with a well, this was very informative. Thank you.
As good a video as I have used. Hit all the high points and talked me through everything I should be looking for. Thank you.
Just look at the number of reviews...a tell tale indication this Professional is a good as can be on RUclips. Another outstanding video for us DIY novices. The certified plumbers and well techs must be scratching their heads.
awesome clip! very clear, cut in & cutt out pressure according to the specs of the tank! nice!
This was a very clear and easy to follow video and it answered a lot of questions I had about my system. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.
My pleasure, glad it was helpful. I will have more well videos and plumbing tips coming soon too.
Very helpful. Nice to be able to start the process before calling the plumber.
Great step by step video! Helped us troubleshoot our tank, which ended up having 0 pressure. Thank you!
Your diaphragm is blown more than likely replace tank
On some older homes the small pipe about 5 / 6 inches long is made of steel & can clog with rust ( leads to pressure switch ) , Which I also replaced , Good video ! Thanks Much !
thanks for the advice. real easy to understand.
Great video, but I would add that you can easily confirm the cut in pressure while you are draining the tank. Note at the video 2:04 mark, the click heard is the pressure switch closing. The gauge pressure is 42 psi which is the pump cut-in pressure. That said, there is the possibility that the gauge is not accurate. If the gauge fails to go to Zero when the tank is empty, I would replace the gauge.
Thank you! I feel less anxious about causing more harm to my well system AND I can reduce the wait time and stress (ithe well water company has a history of not returning calls or emails). I can rewatch your video and have confidence.
terrific - wonderfully produced, filmed and explained. thanks!
Very kind of you thank you
Easily the best video on well tanks…
I still don’t know what the hell I’m doing but at least I can check the pressure in the tank and for that, I thank you sir!
Thank you so much!!! I've just fixed my problem following your video! And I've saved a couple of hundred bucks! ❤️❤️❤️
Very clear and concise video on well pressure. If your system is running with pressure set for 30 to 50PSI, the tank should be set 2 pounds below cut in pressure. That would be 28PSI. In my case, my deep well system runs from 25 to 45PSI for which I need my tank to be set at 23 pounds. It might be worth checking the readings of the cut in and out of the system before draining the tank. On another note, there should always be a shutoff valve to the whole house in case of an emergency. Thanks for the video.
I finally have my well problems corrected after about two weeks of battling the issue. I read through all the posts, and lost some time there in the reading. End result, well is good, well casing good and no clogs ... I touched up the 18 year old pressure tank's pressure ( it was at 24 psig ... increased the pressure to 38 psig and observed it over a few days and is holding OK). Then pulled the also 18 year old pressure switch ... it turned out the 1/4 inch X 6 inch nipple that it was mounted on was completely clogged by hardened sediment. So, because of this lack of a live pressure sample, the pressure switch remained closed and the well would start and run for around an hour, the shut off for about an hour ...it was being started by the closed pressure switch, and would run until the pump's thermal overload kicked it out ... the 1 hour well pump offtime was the time it took to automatically reset this overload on its own, and then restart. New switch, new pipe nipple ... now the pump starts up at 40 psi, and it takes about a minute or so to pressurize my water system to 60 psig and shuts off. It then stays off until water demand reduces system pressure. So, end result of all of this, if you have an older system, or a system that experiences a lot of sedimentation, try checking the piping that your pressure switch is attached to and ensure that your pressure switch is seeing a good pressure sample due to a clear mounting pipe.
Thanks for sharing this. Those pipes to the switch get clogged a lot over time. I personally replace that pipe with the switch each time. I like to change my switch out about every 7 years just to be safe and it's cheap and pretty easy to do. You must be thrilled to be up and running again! Thanks for watching.
Nice easy to understand video. Like most of us when the water goes down we try and check to many thing s at once never isolating the problem So it can be fixed.
Thank you so much I’m new to the system and learning as I go and this helped out tremendously
Awesome helpful video! I am moving to a house with a well that hasnt been used in a bit. All your info was straight-forward and useful! Thank you! Thumbs up@
Thank you for the information . Very good video, simple and direct.
Guys like you are a saviour to less handy people like me--very good presentation--if the girls can't find you handsome--they should find you handy
That rings a bell... Red Green?
You betcha
@@MrStang9090😮
Haha... Keep your stick on the ice too!
Thanks, never worked on one before. Fixed my short cycle problem, I did bleed the system a few times. ( I had silt in the water, I think that was part of the problem) when I drained and tested the air tank I had 0 psi.
Your videos are fantastic. Thank you for making them. I’m having trouble finding specific parts for my system- maybe you can help. I have 1 inch polyethylene coming into my house, with what appears to be a 90 degree plastic adapter.the 1” side is a barbed fitting held into the polyethylene with some ss clamps. The other side of the 90 degree adapter is 1 1/4” MPT and goes into my check valve.
I cannot find a replacement adapter. Might you have an internet source for well parts you can recommend? Most plumbing supply places have a straight adapter, but not an elbow, and I am looking to make as few connections as possible.
Thanks again for these great videos.
Thank you. You have explained thoroughly. You have save me money and time today. Thank so much! I appreciated your video.
Thank you for the information
A word of caution before attempting to adjust your well tank pressures and draining the water from the pressure tank...if you do not have any filtering or silt filtering (or maybe it's after the pressure tank), while it's closed off to the rest of the house lines, make sure to fill and flush that pressure tank about 2-3 times to clear out all the silt that's in the helper tank. You can tell the silt is mostly emptied when no more clumps of it come out while the water is quickly evacuating from the hose.
If you drain it only 1 time to correct the tank pressure while the tank is empty without dealing with the silt, the tank will get stirred up with all the silt like an Ovaltine and let all that silt freely into the plumbing...and each output will require some type of special clean out and tending to get it cleared.
Great presentation, l got my project tommrow to check my system. Thanks again god bless U Tube and people like you.
Very well described instruction. Very helpful. 👍
I have the same exact tank as you that is still going strong after19 years that was installed by the second owner of the house. I'll be checking my tank tonight. Thanks for a great video. I just checked my well tank and unfortunately I do not have a shut off on the main supply coming from the well.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge very well explained. Happy Trails!
nice job thanks for sharing! quick and simple
Thank you for the kind comment and for watching my video.
Such a great and informative video! Thanks so much for your knowledge!
Of course mine is in the crawlspace surrounded by about five dead tanks abandoned since 1960 to present... I guess they last about 10 years? LOL. Think I’m going to cut an access hole in one of the closets. Thanks for the concise video.
Thank you for the video, I just checked mine and had to add air, it fixed my problem
Thanks man! Flicking the contacts worked. Whew. Saved my night.
thank you for clear and concise information.
Great video . Clear and knowledgeable. Thank you so much for your kindness. Deeply appreciate your time and knowledge . Make more videos.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video clear and safe well diagnostics .
Man I want to THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION!!!! It really help me… thanks sir
Thank you.
BIG Help I was about to call a plumber. Saved me some $$$
Thank you SO much for the comment i really appreciate it. Glad it helped.
Nice demo. Won't be able to apply it for a couple of months yet, camp is not going to be accessible until May or so.
Superbly explained. Thank you.
Gave you a thumbs up. I am seeing low pressure at the guage near the "Well T". How do I know if its my pump or water softener setup?
Excellent video , greatly appreciated 👍🏻
The reason the gauge suddenly drops as you are emptying the tank is that until the gauge drops there is stored water pressing on the gauge, but as it runs out through the spigot it gets to a point at which there is no water left pressing on the gauge. Immediately before that point the pressure that is displayed is the air pressure on the other side of the bladder, but as soon as the water has gone there is nothing pressing on the gauge to register the pressure.
It's not "just the way the pressure works" - there is an easily understandable reason! Not meaning to be critical of a useful and well presented video, but it is good to understand exactly what is happening.
many thanks!!!! thank you for sharing your knowledge
I always thought the air bladder would get damaged doing this , thank you very helpful 😀
Yes. The tank comes precharged from the factory
This procedure prevents damage, by removing pressure from under the bladder. Just don't over inflate and you won't damage anything. If you don't drain the water you won't get an accurate reading of the air pressure.
You can save the cost of buying the pressure testing gauge just by watching where the needle drops quickly when you drain the system. If the needle suddenly drops at 35 psi then you have 35 psi in the tank. Close the drain valve, turn on the pump and watch the needle again. The needle will stay at 0 psi then jump up to what ever pressure is in the tank. If it jumps up to 33 psi then slowly pressures up that is what it is supposed to do. This method realiable enough to give you tank pressure within 2 o3 psi. No testing gauge required. If the drops or jumps up at any psi lower then system should, then get a pressure gauge and add pressure. If the needle drops to 0 psi as soon as the drain is opened or if the gauge slowly pressure up from 0 psi, you have problem. get your tank checked(possibly a blown bladder).
Thank you! So helpful!
Thank you very helpful - can you explain why the pressure tank air pressure should be set to 2psi BELOW the Cut-In pressure and what would happen if the Tank aire pressure was pumped up to 5 psi ABOVE the cut-in pressure?
Thanks for sharing..
I have the same well T manifold setup.
I’m trying to figure out which pipe is from the well and which pipe is going inside the house.
What I’m going to try to do is this…
Turn shut off valve to close. Then turn on water on bathtub and sinks. If the pressure gauge goes down while the water is on in the bathtub, I would assume the pipe on the left is going inside the house.
Is this correct?
thanks...I hope this works
Great video, was able to use your tips just now. Thanks a lot!
Glad it helped!
Great video! Very well done and quite educational.
Thank you very much I appreciate the nice comment.
Excellent video!
Very informative.
Do you have a video or anything explaining the types of issues that the switch could cause if it's malfunctioning
I really appreciate this information! Thank you so much!
Glad it was helpful!
Very nice job thank you this really helped me
Thank you for the nice comment I really appreciate it. Please like and scubscribe to my channel for more videos on wells, water softeners and home tips.
Good video thanks for making it!
Wow all these years in my house I've only learned this now. 🙏
Great video. clear and to the point. thank you very much
Thank you I really appreciate the nice feedback
Silver Cymbal yeah, mine is seeping right now. I checked the tank pressure and my relay today. Tomorrow I’ll check the solenoids and diaphragms
We have low water pressure. I had a guy check the pressure of the tank, but he checked it when the tank had water in it, not empty. Thanks to your video, I can check the tank properly myself.
Thats awesome, I love when people let me know the videos are helpful. Thank you and I am glad it could help.
Very good video!! I followed your directions but it seems I may have a bad pressure gauge because after emptying the tank my pressure needle never moved from 41 psi? I tried tapping on it but no luck. Do you think I need to replace the gauge then? Thanks
This was very helpful. My pump won’t shut off because it’s a 30/50 switch and I can’t get above 40 psi anymore. Gonna follow your steps and see if my bladder is bad. Of course no drain on mine.
Did you figure out what your problem was we are have the same situation going on.
@@DANIELLE-gq6ct yeah my situation was the tank bladder. I tried to fill the bladder with air but it was done. New tank and it worked fine until the pump went lol.
Excellent right to the Point Video
I'm glad I found this. I had low pressure in my house for a long time. I dont think it was this bad when I first moved in years ago. I finally stated looking at the gauge and my cut in and off was 30-38 to my surprise. I'm gunna wait till Monday to see what my tank pressure is. Your recommendation for increasing the pressure seems to be to get a new switch first. Everything SEEMS simple. I must be missing something lol
Went well ....pressure up. The shower can still run when someone flushes!!
I bought a square D pressure switch. I recommend it
Dan Zohlmann
You can also take the plastic cover off the pressure switch and adjust the cut in/out pressures with a wrench or a screwdriver. No need to change the switch unless it's really corroded.
Great video. the gauge on my unit keeps coming on and off, At 28 it clicks on and then clicks off at 50. Noticed this morning that it does this constantly. Even when there is no water being used. Can this just be a faulty gauge. Easy fix I hope -------------- john
I recently paid tuition to the school of hard knocks to learn what you just covered in a few minutes for free!
Great video!
Glad it was helpful!
Great Video. Question. When I tried this, there was very, very little water that drained from the tank. That cannot be normal, right?
I did this today. Ended up with a TON of sediment in my water for a few hours. The previous owner must’ve never tended the pressure tank.
When I filled the pressure tank and then opened the drain valve, I had dirty water with very fine sediment. But when I opened the valve and just the let pump run continuously, the water was crystal clear. So I just took the time to fill the pressure tank then drain it (with the house and pump isolated). Took a bunch of cycles but the water is clear and good now.
Lesson, should’ve just left it alone, don’t go looking for trouble!!!!
A well stated explanation....
I didn't reach 18 psi when my tank bladder ruptured. If you're new to well systems, GET A PROFESSIONAL! I managed to turn a simple service call into a major repair bill because of this video.
Very informative thanks
Hey I recently moved into my first acreage and did this. My original pressure empty was 24psi I pumped the tank upto 38psi and turned everything back on the tank quickly built pressure to 60psi then I turned my bathrub on and let it run well I monitored the pressure gauge.
Once the pressure guage hit 40psi the tank lost all pressure and dropped to 0psi and did not re-pressurize without me manually flicking the pressure switch
Very nice video thank you good information.
Really helpful!
What determines the pressure setting on a well system ??? THanks
Very helpful, thanks
@Silver Cymbal -
I have a pressure gauge right after the pump and right before the tank (with piping in between). The gauge right after the pump 35psi and the gauge right before the tank reads 15psi - a 20PSI drop through literally 2 feet of straight pipe! So I figure either one or both gauges are faulty or there is a restriction in the pipe. Seeing as I have low pressure throughout the house and sputtering at the faucets, I'm going to assume I have a blocked pipe. Am I right in my assumption?